Central (Eur)Asian Studies - community building efforts... (fwd)

[Dominik Wujastyk]

---------- Forwarded message ----------
Date: Thu, 27 Apr 2000 12:10:29 -0400
From: John Schoeberlein <centasia at fas.harvard.edu>

Subject: Central (Eur)Asian Studies - community building efforts...



Central (Eur)Asian studies has long been a field that is fragmented and
underdeveloped, with its feet widely spread between Islamic/Middle Eastern
studies, East Asian studies and Slavic/Soviet studies.  We're trying to
counteract this in a variety of ways, and as someone interested in "Central
Eurasia," we thought you might be interested in some information about this.
(If we have mistakenly identified you as someone interested in Central
Eurasia, you might let us know, but don't feel that you have to, as this
message is a one-time mailing and is not from an automatic mailing list).

So our goal is to promote as wide involvement in these activities as
possible.  Please consider joining/contributing to...

* 1 *

Central Eurasian Studies Society -- This newly formed organization is
devoted to promoting communication and improvement of scholarship in all
fields of the humanities and social sciences pertaining to the region from
the Crimea and the Caucasus in the west to Mongolia and Tibet in the east
(including such places as: Iranian Azerbaijan, Volga Basin, Afghanistan,
Georgia, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Turkmenistan, Kazakstan, Uzbekistan,
Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan, Xinjiang, Tuva, Buryatia, etc.)
  - General information about the organization may be found at the CESS
    Website: <http://cess.uno.edu>.
  - The first annual meeting will be held this fall in Madison, Wisconsin --
    information about this will soon be available on the CESS Website.
  - CESS will produce a bulletin, available on the Website and in print format.
  - Interested persons world wide are welcome to join and get involved -- and
    for scholars from the former Soviet Union, membership is free.
  - Visit <http://www.fas.harvard.edu/~casww/CESS_Membership_Form.html> to
    join CESS.

* 2 *

<Central Asian Studies World Wide> -- This is a comprehensive reference
resource that will help you to learn about and orient yourself in worldwide
study of this region.  13,000 people a month refer to this rich website.
Visit: <http://www.fas.harvard.edu/~casww/>.  And let us know if you are
interested in joining the effort to build further on this resource by
writing to <casww at fas.harvard.edu>.

* 3 *

Central-Asia-Inst-List -- This is a discussion list intended to promote
cooperation and coordination in institutional initiatives in Central
(Eur)Asian studies.  To learn more, or to join, visit:
<http://www.fas.harvard.edu/~casww/Subscribe_C-A-I-L.html>, or write to
<owner-Central-Asia-Inst-List at fas.harvard.edu>.

* 4 *

CentralAsia-L Announcement List for Central Asian Studies -- This is the
best source anywhere for information on activities and resources in Central
Asian studies world wide (conferences, publications, grants, jobs, etc.).
With 2,500 subscribers, it has grown since 1995 to have the widest
readership of any similar medium in Eurasian studies.  To learn more about
how to distribute an announcement, or to subscribe (for free), visit
<http://www.fas.harvard.edu/~casww/Subscribe_CA-L.html>, or write to
<owner-CentralAsia-L at fas.harvard.edu>.  A rich archive of past postings is
also available at the web address.

* 5 *

Central Asia Experts Directory -- Aimed at matching those who have expertise
with those who need it, this web resources provides thorough profiles and
indexing of experts in all fields.  The data will soon be available on-line at
<http://www.fas.harvard.edu/~casww/CASWW_Expert.html> -- If you belong in
the Directory, visit the same site to submit your information.

* 6 *

Dissertations in Central Asian Studies -- To provide easy access to
information about "up and coming" scholars in Central Asian studies, the
Dissertations site provides indexed information on recent dissertations
(within the last ~8 years) in all fields.  This resource helps conference
organizers and editors find contributors, and helps young scholars see what
work is being done already to help determine where they can make their own
contributions.  Visit <http://www.fas.harvard.edu/~casww/CASWW_Diss.html> to
see the hundreds of dissertations already included, or to submit the
information on your dissertation or those of others in your department.

These are just a few of the initiatives that are under way to try to build
communications and strong community and high intellectual standards among
those focused on this part of the world.

Please consider this also an invitation to join in collaboration and to let
us know about similar projects that you are involved in.

If it seems too much to absorb all at once, then you might just join CESS or
subscribe to CentralAsia-L, and this will open the door so that you can
learn about other resources in time...

Thank you for your interest!

John Schoeberlein
______________________________________________________________________________
Director, Forum for Central Asian Studies, Harvard University
1737 Cambridge Street, Cambridge, MA 02138   USA
tel.: (617) 495-4338  fax: (617) 495-8319  e-mail: schoeber at fas.harvard.edu

Acting Executive Secretary of CESS: http://cess.uno.edu/
Editor, <Central Asian Studies World Wide>: http://www.fas.harvard.edu/~casww/
Editor, <CentralAsia-L>: http://www.fas.harvard.edu/~casww/Subscribe_CA-L.html
______________________________________________________________________________